A/N: Hello again! Chapter 2 is here and I'm sure you'll like it. Now, you may notice a slight difference in writing styles. That's because my wonderful partner in crime, whom I have told you about, wrote most of this. I wrote most of the last one, so feel free to comment onour individual styles.Mostly the story will go like this, one chapter per writer. You'll see why later. Have fun!
Thanks to lo22 and mystic-tear-drops. You know why!
"Mom, I already said I'm sorry for getting myself kicked out of the school you chose when I wasn't even born yet. I've heard the speech a thousand times already. When are we going to be able to go back to New Jersey?" Nona was sitting at the counter of the café her mother worked at in Diagon Alley.
"As soon as your father gets his vacation from the Ministry, we'll go like we had already planned on since you haven't found a school." Her mother placed a strawberry smoothie in front of her.
"Mom, please drop it."
"Alright, but you better get into another school soon or it's New Jersey schools for you. We do not have enough money to buy your way in to a magical institution."
"Mom! If I can't get in on pure talent, I don't want to get in at all."
"Right, right, of course." Her mother moved to serve a customer, who had just walked in. Nona let out a very huge sigh.
"I couldn't help overhearing," someone said. She spun around and came face to face with an older, wiser looking gentleman. "May I introduce myself? My name is Albus Dumbledore."
"I've heard of you. Aren't you a headmaster somewhere?"
"Why yes I am," he agreed with a laugh. "I've been studying your performance at Beauxbatons."
"Oh."
"You sound worried and with good reason. I did read about the prank you pulled on Madame Maxime. It was all over the papers. Now how does a girl like you end up pulling such a prank? I mean you were a top student in the school." Nona looked down into her smoothie, avoiding his eyes.
"I felt suffocated at Beauxbatons. They wouldn't allow me to be myself. I had to do something." Dumbledore placed a hand on her shoulder.
"It's going to be okay. I'm sure not every school has turned you away." She turned her head to look at him.
"Every single one that I've gone to has." He smiled then.
"Your father contacted me about your present problem. He and I go way back." Nona perked up when he said this.
"Does that mean what I think it does?"
"Yes it does. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is interested in having you as a student." He produced an envelope from inside his robes. "If you decide you'd like to attend Hogwarts, send a reply by owl no later than the date mentioned inside the letter. I know it's extremely close to the beginning of term, but since your mother currently works in Diagon Alley, you should have no problem finding the materials you'll need." She was speechless at first when she took the envelope, but after a few moments, she was able to speak.
"Thank you." She flung her arms around him in a hug. When she sat back, Dumbledore stood to greet someone who was standing beside him.
"Ah, Mr. Diggory, I've been expecting you. Thank you for agreeing to speak with a prospective student."
"No problem, Headmaster." Dumbledore swept his hand as if presenting Nona to the boy.
"This is Ms. Nona Sancaster." The boy came towards her and presented his hand. She shook it.
"My name is Cedric…Diggory that is. So, Head Master…," as he said the last part, he looked around but found no one there, "…Oh, that's okay. He is a very busy man, so have you opened the envelope yet?"
"Actually no I haven't. The head master just gave it to me. I'm not sure if I actually want to go."
"Oh, you're going," her mother couldn't help but overhear. Nona turned toward her.
"Fine, fine. I guess I'm going," she stated, turning back toward Cedric.
"It would seem that way," he said with a laugh, "Why don't we find out what you're going to need?" She carefully broke the wax seal and took out the different sheets of parchment.
"Here goes nothing." She froze up and was unable to make herself read it. Cedric reached over and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You've already been accepted. It's just a list. That's all. Go ahead." She was able to move again, and started to read the first sheet.
HOGWARTS SHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Ms. Sancaster,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find the enclosed list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than August 30. Please note: we normally do not except transfer students, so your letter has arrived later then the other students due to our long debates on your acceptance. Understand that you are still required to have all the books and equipment on the list. The Hogwarts Express will leave from King's Cross Station, Platform nine and three-quarters, at 11 o'clock.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
After reading through this letter and getting more and more excited, Nona turned her attention upon the other two pieces of parchment. The first was a list of books and supplies she would need.
HOGWARTS SHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
Students are required to have:
Three sets of plain work robes (black)
One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
COURSE BOOKS
All the students should have a copy of each of the following
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1-5)
by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Defensive Magical Theory by Wibert Slinkhard
One thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
by Newt Scamander
A Beginners' Guide to Tranfiguration by Emeric Switch
Intermediate Guide to Transfiguation by Emric Witch
Advanced Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
Monster Book of Monsters
Unfogging the Future
Cooking the Muggle Way by Kathy Carrot
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
1 standard potion kit
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad
Following this list was a permission slip needing to be signed by her parents. She had never heard of the town of Hogsmeade, but trips away from school sounded exciting.
HOGWARTS SHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Dear Parent(s) or Guardian(s) of Student,
Those students above 3rd year are permitted to visit the town of Hogsmeade on certain weekends. Please fill out and sign the lines below.
I, , hereby give permission for my son/daughter, to visit the town of Hogsmeade on certain weekends provided they do not break any school rules.
X Date
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
Although she already knew her way around, Cedric took her to all the shops she needed to go in order to get what she needed. Most of the books from earlier years she already had even though they were in French. Through the entire day, the two talked and got to know each other becoming friends. Although she knew most of the students would pick her out as the girl who blew up a classroom at Beauxbatons, Nona was never as sure about going anywhere else.